Draw-gear and buffing apparatus.



Patented Apr. I6, !90|. G. WESTINGHOUSE.

DRAW GEAR AND BUFFING APPARATUS.

(Application Bled Sept. 27, 1900.)

TMWWM/ AMA No. 672,H7.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

DRAW-GEAR AND BUFFING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 672,117, dated Aprill, 1901.

Application filed September 2.7, 1900. Serial No. 31,288. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that I, GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Draw- Gear and Buliing Apparatus, of which improvement the following is a speciiication.

My present invention is an improvement upon certain features of structural embodiment of that for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 649,187 were granted and issued to me under date of-May 8, 1900; and its object is to provide a draw-gear and buffing apparatus of the general class or type set forth in said application, in-which a simple, compact,and effective hydraulic-pressure apparatus shall be employed as the secondary resistance element and in which waste by leakage of the liquid employed shall be effectively prevented.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal central section through a draft and bufling apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2, an inverted plan view of the same; and Fig. 3, a vertical transverse section, the rightfhand half of which is taken on the line a a of Fig. 1 and the left-hand half on the line b b of the saine figure.

As in my Letters Patent No. 649,187 afore-y said the apparatus of my present invention embodies a preliminary resistance element, and a secondary or final resistance element which is adapted to exert its action independently of and supplementally to that of the preliminary resistance element. The secondary resistance element is, further, in the form of a hydraulic pressure mechanism, as hereinafter fully and at length described.

In the practice of my invention each of the draw-bars 1 is provided with a suitable coupling-head, which is not shown, and is fitted to move longitudinally within a short range of traverse below the center sills 5 of the car. The outer ends of the draw-bars and the connected coupling-heads project beyond the end sills of the car in the ordinary manner.

Tractive force and strains of draft and buffing applied to either of the draw-bars 1 are transmitted therefrom to the car frame lto the lower sides of the center sills 5.

through a resistance mechanism which is supported by a horizontal frame-plate 3, of cast or wrought metal, secured by bolts or rivets A draw-bar stop or abutment 3 projects down wardly from and is suitably secured to the frame-plate 3, being in this instance shown as cast integral therewith, and open-ended pressure-cylinders 24 24a are cast integral with or otherwise fixed to the draw/ bar stop 3a, said pressure-cylinders projecting from the front and rear sides, respectively, of the draw-bar stop in or substantially in line axially with the draw-bar. A draft-spring 12a abuts against the rear side of the draw-bar stop 3a and against a piston 23a, and a bufflngspring l2 abuts against the front side of the draw-bar stop and against a piston 23. Each of the pistons 23 23' is fixed to and closes the outer end of one of the halves or sections of a transversely-divided cylinder 23", the two sections of the cylinder abutting and forming a tight joint at their adjacent ends and being secured firmly together by longitudinal bolts 23d. The cylinder-'sections 23b are bored to iit truly around and traverse longitudinally on the peripheries of the pressure-cylinders 242421, on which the connected pistons and cylinders are adapted to move as a unit in accordance with the inward and outward movements of the draw-bar 1, to which they are coupled by a pin or bolt 19d, passing through draw-bar straps or lugs 19, secured to the inner end of the draw-bar, and through an eye or socket 23C, projecting from the outer face of the adjacent piston 23. The cylinder-sections 23b are open at top around and at some distance from the draw-bar stop 3a in front and rear theroef, and their Walls, which surround the upper opening thus provided, are upwardly extended to form a liquid-reservoir 25, which is covered by removable caps 25a, below which the adjacent faces of the walls of the reservoir are adapted to traverse freely. An opening closed by a removable plug may be formed in one or the other of the caps to admit of the supply of liquid to the cylinders.

It will be seen that the connected cylindersections 23" 23b and outer end pistons 23 23L constitute a closed-ended cylinder, which is m/ovable in either direction with the draw- ICO bar l and which is open only to the superposed liquid-reservoir 25, and that the drawbar stop 3a not only performs the function of an abutment through which strains applied to the draw-bar are transferred to the carframe, but also acts as a fixed piston or abutment relatively to the movable cylinder in the institution of the secondary hydraulic resistance to strain on the draw-bar.

A inal release-port 2S of comparatively small transverse section,which is always open, is formed in the upper portion of the wall of each of the pressure-cylinders 24 24 adjacent to the dra w-bar stop 3, said iinal releaseports establishing continuous communication between the cylinders 24 24 and the liquidreservoir 25. A preliminary release-port 32, of sufficient capacity to permit of the free discharge of liquid from the cylinder to the reservoir without substantial resistance to the movement of a piston acting on liquid in the cylinder, is also formed in the Lipper portion of the wall of each of the cylinders 24 24a. The preliminary release-ports 32 are located in such position on the cylinders 24 24 that in the normal position of the partsthat is to say, when the draw-bar is not subjected to straiu-both of said ports vwill be fully open and establish free communication between the cylinders in which they are respectively located and the superposed liquid-reservoir; but one or the other of said ports will be closed by the wall of the adjacent cylinder-section 23b after the draw-bar has under the action of applied strain traversed adetermined distance inwardly or outwardly, as the case may be. A single release-port in each cylinder of differential transverse areas-that is to say, progressively diminishingT in transverse area from its outer to its inner end-would constitute a mechanical equivalent for the preliminary and filial release-ports described and shown and may if desired be substituted therefor Without departing from the operative principle or essential features of my invention.

In the operation of an apparatus embodying my invention thev pressure-cylinders 24 24,

the spaces between the outer ends thereof, l

and the pistons 23 23 and the liquid-reservoir 25 having been supplied with oil, water, or other incompressible liquid, preliminary strains and those which are of comparatively minor force and extent are opposed and counteracted, either in draft or in bufing, by the draft-spring l2 or the bufhng-spring l2, as the case may be, such strains and all other strains to which the apparatus is subjected in service acting initially upon one or the other of said springs, and their resultants being transmitted to the car-frame through the draw-bar stop 3"". During the traverse in either direction of the draw-bar and the connected cylinder 23b and pistons 23 23a throughout the Whole or any portion of a range corresponding with the maximum resistance to compression of the draft or the buiiing-spring liquid will pass freely from the cylinder containing the spring Which is acted on to the liquid-reservoir through the release-ports 28 and 32, and no hydraulic resistance will be exerted in opposition to the applied strain. Upon the application of strain to the drawbar which exceeds the maximum capacity of resistance of either of the springs the corresponding preliminary release-port 32 will be closed by the adjacent cylinder-section 23b in and by the further traverse of the drawbar and pressure Will be exerted upon the liquid in the pressure-cylinder 24 or 24, as the case may be, against the resistance of said liquid in heilig compelled to pass to the reservoir 25 through the restricted final release-port 28. The resistance of the liquid will be proportionate to the strain exerted on the draw-bar and the sectional area of the final release-passage, and the imposed final strain will be opposed and counteracted by such hydraulic resistance. Upon the release or cessation of strain upon the draw-bar the parts will be returned to normal position by the spring which has been initially compressed, and the liquid which was expelled from the inclosing pressure-cylinder will be returned thereto through its release-ports.

It will be seen that the relation of the pressu re-cylinders 24 24a and the iuclosing cylinder 23b and pistons 23 23 is such that during the exertion of pressure upon the liquid in one of the pressure-cylinders that in the other pressure cylinder is wholly exempt from pressure, and also that no stuffing-boxes or analogous devices for the prevention of leakage are required, inasmuch as the opening in the liquid-reservoir is the only passage to the interior of the cylinder through which relative traverse of the piston and cylinder is effected and permitted. The opening of the liquid-reservoir being in a horizontal plane and the reservoir being above the level of the pressure-cylinders and not subjected at any time to pressure there is no tendency to Waste or leakage of liquid from the reservoir, and the return of liquid therefrom to each of the pressure-cylinders is effected wholly by gravity and Without involving the employment of valves of any description.

It will also be seen that a leading and essential feature of my present invention consists in combining with a draw-bar a piston or abutment and a cylinder, one of which is movable by connection with the draw-bar relatively to the other in order to induce the exertion of resistance by'an interposed body of liquid to the movements of the draw-bar and a liquidreservoir having an opening above the upper level of the cylinder and unsubjected to pressure, whereby traverse of the movable member may be effected without leakage of liquid. In the preferred form of my invention herein set forth a fixed piston or abutment and a relatively movable cylinder are employed; but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the relation of the cylinder and pis- IOO IIO

ton may, if desired, be reversed-that is to say, the cylinder may be xed and the piston or abutment be connected to and movable with the draw-bar-without departure from the spirit and operative principle of my invention. Such relative disposition of these members I therefore specify as the mechanical equivalent of that specifically hereinabove described.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a draw-gear or bufting apparatus, the combination of a draw-bar, a piston or abutment and a cylinder, one of which is movable, by connection with the draw-bar, relatively to the other, a liquid reservoir having an opening above the upper level of the cylinder, through which opening relative traverse of the piston and cylinder is effected and permitted, and a release-port connecting the cylinder and liquid-reservoir.

2. In a draw-gear or bufng apparatus, the combination of a draw-bar, a piston or abutment and a cylinder, one of which is movable, by connection with the draw-bar, relatively to the other, a spring interposed between and bearing on the piston and cylinder, a liquidreservoir having an opening above the upper level of the cylinder, through which opening relative traverse of the piston and cylinder is effected and permitted, and a release-port connecting the cylinder and liquid-reservoir.

In` a draw-gear or buling apparatus, the combination of a draw-bar, a draw-bar stop secured to a car-frame and constituting a fixed piston, an open-ended pressure-cylinder iXed to the draw-bar stop, a cylinder connected to and movable with the draw-bar and fitted to traverse on the periphery of the pressure-cylinder, a spring interposed between the draw-bar stop and the opposite head of the movable cylinder, a liquid-reservoir, and a release-port connecting the pressure-cylinder and liquid-reservoir.

4. In a draw-gear or buffing apparatus, the combination of a draw-bar, a draw-bar stop secured to a car-frame and constituting a fixed piston, an open-ended pressure-cylinder fixed to the draw-bar stop, a cylinder connected to and movable with the draw-bar and fitted to traverse on the periphery ot the pressure-cylinder, a spring interposed between the draw-bar stop and the opposite head of the movable cylinder, al liquid-reservoir, a continuously open final release-port connecting the pressure-cylinder and liquid-reservoir, and a preliminary release-port connecting the pressure-cylinder and liquid-reservoir and controlled by the movable cylinder.

5. In a draw-gear or bufling apparatus, the combination of a draw-bar, a draw-bar stop secured to a car-frame and constituting a fixed piston, two open-ended pressure-cylinders fixed to and projecting oppositely from the draw-bar stop, a cylinder closed at its ends by pistons and connected to and movable with the draw-bar, said cylinder being ltted to traverse on the peripheries of the pressure-cylinders, a draft-spring and a buing spring, each interposed between the draw-bar stop and an end piston of the movable cylinder, a liquid-reservoir, and releaseports connecting the pressure-cylinders and liquid-reservoir.

6. In a draw-gear or bufling apparatus, the combination of a supporting-plate adapted to be secured to a car-frame, a draw-bar stop fixed to and projecting downwardly from said plate and constitutinga fixed piston, an openended pressure-cylinder tiXed to the drawbar stop, a draw-bar, a cylinder connected to and movable with the draw-bar and fitted to traverse on the periphery of the press ure-cylinder, a liquid-reservoir formed by an upward extension of the movable cylinder, and a release-port connecting the pressure-cylinder and liquid-reservoir.

eno.l wEsTINGHoUsE.

Witnesses:

J. SNowDEN BELL, H. A. CRooKs. 

